Robert E. “Bob” Johnson, 81, of Sheridan, Wyoming, died Tuesday, September 18, 2012 in Sheridan Manor of a lengthy illness.

Bob was born to Ulyesses V. Johnson and Lela L. (Smith) Johnson in Sturgis, South Dakota on June 2, 1931. He lived in South Dakota most of his growing years, except when his family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the early 1940’s.They lived there for a few years and then returned to South Dakota to ranch near Hermosa, South Dakota. He went to school in South Dakota and Wisconsin. Bob graduated from Rapid City High School in May of 1949 and attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1954. He was an Officer in the Corps of Engineers during the Korean War, living in Alexandria, Virginia, where he attended Officers Training at Ft. Belvoir, VA., Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.

Bob married Mary Ann Williams, Rapid City, S. D., on March 25, 1951. They lived in Rapid City until graduation from College. They had three sons, Stephen, Daniel, and Jeffrey. The family lived in Pierre, South Dakota, after Bob completed his time in the Army, where Bob worked for the Highway Dept. in bridge design. In 1958, they moved to Minot, North Dakota and Bob worked for the Peter Kiewit Sons Company at the Minot Air Force Base. The family moved to Bozeman, Montana where Bob was Superintendent on the Interstate 90 paving job between Belgrade and Manhattan, then to Billings, Montana where he was General Superintendent and Estimator. In 1970, he moved to Sheridan, Wyoming and was in on the planning and building of the Decker Mine. He was General Superintendent for the Mining District in Wyoming.

Bob was a licensed Professional Engineer, Secretary for the Cub Scouts in N. D., member of Good Sams of America, held offices in the Bot Sots camping club and a life member of the Elks.

He retired in 1980 and Bob and Mary Ann began traveling in their Motor Home throughout the Untied States, Canada, two trips to Alaska on the Alcan Highway and Mexico. In 1990, they settled in Tucson, AZ and spent the winters in Arizona and summers in Sheridan, WY. Bob learned to play golf and became a serious golfer. He was in charge of the Rincon golfers for two years and planned all golf programs, in Tucson, for the golfers from Rincon Country West Resort. Bob loved to hunt, fish, swim, water ski and boat. He loved working with wood and has made furniture, lamps, jewelry boxes, carving, remodeled several homes, helped his son build a house, learned to carve and owned and managed rental property.

He was a great father, grandfather, great-grandfather and husband. In his own way, he loved his family and would do anything for them. The death of Stephen, in 1994, was a loss that he never quite recovered from.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a niece, uncles, aunts, grandparents and his son, Stephen and his brother-in-law Vern Finch.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, two sons, Daniel, Jeffery and daughter-in-law (Linda), five granddaughters, Kimberley Sukstorf (Derek) and Shirley Johnson (Charles Dowdy), Chrystal, Amber, (Anthony) and Brittney and six great-granddaughters, Haeley, Abagale, Elyxia, Alexandrea, Savannah, Caliana and three great grandsons, Deavon, Kaimon, Kincaid and a brother, Ray E. Johnson and his wife, Pat, a sister, Lois A. Finch and her husband, Vern, (Deceased), a brother-in-law, Mark Williams and his wife, Cathy, and many nephews and nieces.

A memorial service for Bob will be held in Sheridan the latter part of October. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

Memorials in memory of Bob may be made to the Sheridan Dog and Cat Shelter, 84 East Ridge Road, Sheridan, Wyoming 82801

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